Extradition hearing set for polygamist sect leader

A Utah judge has set a date for an extradition hearing for imprisoned polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs, who is facing multiple felony charges in Texas.

Jeffs refused to sign extradition papers delivered to him last month at the Utah State Prison by Texas authorities.

Utah courts spokeswoman Nancy Volmer said Jeffs will be asked to sign the papers again at a July 27 hearing before 3rd District Judge Terry Christiansen.

If Jeffs declines, Volmer said another hearing would likely be set.
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Texas authorities have charged Jeffs with bigamy, sexual assault of a child and aggravated assault.

The charges stem from two alleged underage marriages between Jeffs and girls ages 17 and 15 in 2005.

Evidence of the alleged unions was gathered in a raid on a church ranch near Eldorado, Texas, in 2008.

Records confiscated during the raid indicated multiple marriages to underage girls, some as young as 12. Jeffs, according to the records, had dozens of wives; 58 were listed in the year before the alleged marriages that led to his indictment.